Home to more than 60 companies, federal agencies, academic research institutes, labs, and collaborative spaces, Discovery District Maryland is one of the country’s densest clusters of specialized tech talent and infrastructure. A nexus of innovation, this community is evolving to include housing, transit, recreation, and vibrant public spaces just steps from the University of Maryland, College Park.
Companies are coming to Discovery District to be part of a one-of-a-kind growth engine. Dedicated to nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship, Discovery District Maryland is a powerful plug-and-play ecosystem that fosters research, forges industry partnerships, and accelerates the leap from idea to market.
With more than 2 million square feet of office, retail, residential, and research space, Discovery District Maryland is teeming with possibilities—to work, to grow, to live, and to thrive. Anchored by the University of Maryland and a transit hub that includes Metro, MARC, and the new Purple Line light rail, Discovery District Maryland has already built more than 2 million square feet of mixed-use residential, research, and office space. With additional housing, office, retail, and flex space coming online in the next two years, the neighborhood is teeming with possibilities.
The research park also boasts among its neighbors the oldest continually operating airport in the United States, the College Park Airport, which is home to the College Park Aviation Museum.
Home to the largest concentration of quantum scientists, the National Quantum Lab (QLab), and the Quantum Startup Foundry, the University of Maryland has grown into a hub for quantum research and development. Fueled by our highly collaborative community of more than 200 scientists, visionaries, and entrepreneurs, industry-shaping leaders like IonQ are making their home here in the Capital of Quantum.
We want to continue to build the ecosystem of entrepreneurship and innovation and economic development. The Discovery District is supposed to be about discovery, but it’s also about creating jobs for Prince George's County and College Park.
Use Discovery District Maryland to…
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Find a lab/office for my venture
The Discovery District Maryland is the home to dozens of businesses, startups, federal government agencies, and the first WeWork at a university campus. If you are in need of a lab or office for your venture and want to leverage the benefits of being part of a vibrant community and home of the state's flagship institution, then please contact Sarah Miller from the Terrapin Development Company at smiller@terrapindevelopment.com.
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Find and invest in startups
One of the tenants of the Discovery District Maryland is the Investment Manager for the Maryland Momentum Fund, as well as for the Dingman Center Angels. To connect with these resources, contact Stan Smith at stsmith7@umd.edu.
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Find innovation events
A variety of entrepreneurship events are hosted in the Discovery District Maryland each year. Events and other happenings taking place in this community can be found on the Discovery District Partnership Linktree.
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Get advice for my venture
The Discovery District Maryland is the home of the Director of Faculty Startup Support, UM Ventures Entrepreneurs-in-Residence (EIRs), and the Maryland Small Business Development Center. To receive business advice from the Director of Faculty Startup Support, contact Alla McCoy at acmccoy@umd.edu. If you are affiliated with the University of Maryland as a student, faculty, or an alumnus, you can schedule an appointment with an EIR. If you are launching or have a current venture in the state of Maryland, you can receive free business counseling through the SBDC.
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Identify/apply for funding & grants
If your venture is seeking funding and/or grants, there are several resources located within the Discovery District Maryland that may be of assistance. The SBDC team can provide information regarding available loans, grants, and other funding sources. The Director of Faculty Startup Support also can provide guidance on available funding sources for research grants and more. Please contact Alla McCoy at acmccoy@umd.edu, if you are a UMD professor or graduate student.
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Launch my venture
If you are an aspiring entrepreneur and you are ready to launch a new venture in the state of Maryland, the SBDC is a fantastic resource as its trained counselors are available to direct you to pertinent legal, financial, and general business information. For all UMD professors and graduate students considering the viability of a business idea, the Director of Faculty Startup Support can provide specific guidance on launching a new venture. Please contact Alla McCoy at acmccoy@umd.edu.
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Partner with UMD more broadly
If you are a corporation, business or startup interested in engaging the University of Maryland and all if has to offer as one of the nation's best public research institutions, then please contact UMD's Office of Innovation at innovate@umd.edu.
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Relocate my venture to College Park
With all that is going on the University of Maryland, as well as the surrounding community, the Discovery District Maryland is a desirable destination for corporations, businesses, startups, federal agencies, government contractors, and research partners. If you are interested in learning more about this research park and the benefits of relocating to the Discovery District Maryland, then please contact Sarah Miller from the Terrapin Development Company at smiller@terrapindevelopment.com.